Nestlé is reframing dairy not just as a food system challenge but as a critical emissions and energy efficiency issue, with its new Dairy Plan highlighting a 26% cut in greenhouse gas output across its dairy supply chain and outlining the next phase of decarbonisation for one of its most energy-intensive agricultural inputs.
For global food manufacturers, dairy sits at the intersection of energy use, emissions and supply security. The sector must contend with methane output, climate volatility, fluctuating milk prices, labour constraints and rising input costs, all while maintaining consistent production at scale.
Established in 1866, Nestlé operates across more than 2,000 brands and employs over 270,000 people worldwide, with dairy underpinning a significant share of its product base.
Its first Dairy Plan sets out how it collaborates with 130,000 farmers and over 200 suppliers, linking emissions reduction, energy efficiency, farmer resilience and environmental stewardship.
The company positions sustainable dairy as a pathway to stabilising supply chains while reducing exposure to energy and climate-related risks.
